Philosophical View of Self

What is the primary focus of Socrates' philosophy regarding the self?

According to Plato, what is a key aspect of self-knowledge?

What does Descartes' famous phrase 'Cogito, Ergo Sum' imply about the self?

How does John Locke define personal identity?

What does David Hume's No-Self Theory suggest?

What is Immanuel Kant's perspective on consciousness and self-perception?

Which philosopher emphasized the significance of inner peace in self-knowledge?

What does St. Augustine's approach to the self largely revolve around?

Which component of the self, according to Kant, refers to the personal and individual experience?

In Freud's model of the mind, which part is known as the 'pleasure principle'?

What is the role of the ego in Freudian theory?

According to Freud, which level of the mind contains thoughts and feelings that are not currently in awareness but can be accessed?

Gilbert Ryle's perspective on the self is primarily based on what aspect?

What concept did Maurice Merleau-Ponty emphasize regarding the self?

The super-ego in Freud's model functions as what?

What does the unconscious mind encompass according to Freud?

Philosophical View of Self

Aristotle: Emphasizes self-knowledge as fundamental to wisdom.
Socrates: Advocates for self-examination and understanding one's desires in a changing world to achieve fulfillment.
Plato: Views self-knowledge as awareness of personal abilities and limitations.

Key Philosophers and Concepts

St. Augustine & René Descartes: "Si fallor, sum" (If I am mistaken, I exist); "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), highlighting the rational mind's role in self-perception.
Rene Descartes: Defines self as a thinking entity capable of reason, analysis, and conclusion based on evidence.
John Locke: Identifies personal identity with consciousness, stressing similarities in self over time.
David Hume: Proposes the No-Self Theory, arguing that self is an illusion shaped by shifts in emotions, behaviors, and experiences.
Immanuel Kant: Introduces a dual concept of self, comprising inner self (thoughts, feelings) and outer self (perceptions), linked through a unifying consciousness.

Concept of Self in the 19th Century

Sigmund Freud: Describes the mind through three structures—ID, ego, and superego, and their interplay.
- Conscious Mind: Awareness of immediate experiences.
- Preconscious Mind: Accessible thoughts and feelings not currently in awareness.
- Unconscious Mind: Contains dreams, instincts, and repressed feelings beyond awareness.
ID: Represents primal instincts and desires governed by the pleasure principle, seeking instant gratification.
Ego: Functions on the reality principle, balancing ID's demands with real-world constraints.
Superego: Moral compass reflecting societal values, guiding ethical behavior.

Behavioral Perspective

Gilbert Ryle: Argues that self is defined by observable behavior, aiming for a clearer understanding rather than manipulation of actions.
Maurice Merleau-Ponty: Emphasizes the embodied self, stating that one's understanding of self is inseparable from their physical existence.

Explore the fundamental concepts of self as proposed by key philosophers including Aristotle, Socrates, and Descartes. This quiz delves into various perspectives on self-knowledge, identity, and the nature of existence, uncovering the rich philosophical discourse surrounding the self.